Billy Hunter
Born: 6/4/1928 in Punxsutawney, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1953-04-14 | Final Game: 1958-09-27
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Gordon William Hunter
Biography
Billy Hunter was a professional baseball player born in 1928, who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1953 to 1958. Over the course of his career, he participated in 630 games, amassing a total of 410 hits, 16 home runs, and 144 RBIs. Hunter finished his playing days with a batting average of .219 and successfully stole 23 bases. His contributions to the game were recognized when he was selected as an All-Star during his career, highlighting his status among contemporaries in an era characterized by increased competition and the rising prominence of player statistics.
Hunter's playing style was marked by his versatility and determination, making him a valuable member of the teams he played for during the post-war era of baseball. He navigated a time when the game was beginning to see a shift towards more power-hitting players, yet he carved out a niche for himself with a solid all-around game. His career, spanning the mid-1950s, reflected the evolving nature of baseball during that period, as teams began to prioritize speed and agility alongside traditional batting and fielding skills. Billy Hunter remains a notable figure for his contributions to the sport, both on and off the field.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | 1875 | 166 | 410 | 58 | 18 | 16 | 144 | 23 | 111 | 192 | 0.219 | 0.264 | 0.294 | 0.559 | -8808.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | SLA | AL | 154 | 567 | 50 | 124 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 37 | 3 | 24 | 45 | 0.219 | -3636.0 |
| 1954 | BAL | AL | 125 | 411 | 28 | 100 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 27 | 5 | 21 | 38 | 0.243 | -1629.3 |
| 1955 | NYY | AL | 98 | 255 | 14 | 58 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 20 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 0.227 | -1087.6 |
| 1956 | NYY | AL | 39 | 75 | 8 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.280 | -52.0 |
| 1957 | KC1 | AL | 116 | 319 | 39 | 61 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 29 | 1 | 27 | 43 | 0.191 | -1226.5 |
| 1958 | CLE | AL | 76 | 190 | 21 | 37 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 0.195 | -913.6 |
| 1958 | KC1 | AL | 22 | 58 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 0.155 | -913.6 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 72 | 66 | 125 | 170 | 7 | 46 |
| 3B | 24 | 12 | 20 | 29 | 2 | 4 |
| SS | 528 | 319 | 877 | 1438 | 101 | 325 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | SLA | SS | 152 | 0 | 284 | 512 | 25 | 99 |
| 1954 | BAL | SS | 124 | 121 | 249 | 333 | 32 | 76 |
| 1955 | NYA | SS | 98 | 91 | 115 | 249 | 16 | 60 |
| 1956 | NYA | 3B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| 1956 | NYA | SS | 32 | 19 | 49 | 58 | 0 | 20 |
| 1957 | KC1 | 2B | 64 | 58 | 111 | 152 | 7 | 40 |
| 1957 | KC1 | 3B | 17 | 10 | 18 | 22 | 2 | 2 |
| 1957 | KC1 | SS | 35 | 23 | 46 | 89 | 9 | 19 |
| 1958 | CLE | 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | CLE | SS | 75 | 56 | 124 | 165 | 16 | 47 |
| 1958 | KC1 | 2B | 8 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 6 |
| 1958 | KC1 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | KC1 | SS | 12 | 9 | 10 | 32 | 3 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 72 |
| Third Base | 24 |
| Shortstop | 529 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | PA | 1947 |